Electroporation of cell membranes supporting penetration of photodynamic active macromolecular chromophore dextrans.

Abstract

The aim is to demonstrate that macromolecular chromophore dextrans (Cibacron-dextran) acting as photosensitizers can be transported easily into cancer cells by electroporation of their membranes (short electric pulses on cell suspension between electrodes). There are two possibilities, either:(A)irradiation starts with the electropulse-showed with easily penetrating thiopyronin-yielding nearly 100% dead cells;(B)irradiation starts after a resealing time of membrane pores during which macromolecular photosensitizers can penetrate into cells. In this way, fractions of Cibacron-dextran with molecular weights (Mw) 3300, 10,900 and 500,000 are now able to kill. This combination of bioelectrochemistry and photobiology will be suitable also for other biopolymers, connected with photodynamic active chromophores (e.g. chromopeptides) to transport them through cell walls and membranes into cells and tissues. The human cancer cells U-935 and K-562 (pulsed by 1.15 kV/cm field strength) additionally or synergistically reach high rates of necrotic cells (colored by trypan blue) by this combination.

• Authors: M Lambreva, B Glück, M Radeva, H Berg
• Journal: Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) (Bioelectrochemistry) Vol. 62 Issue 1 Pg. 95-8 (Apr 2004) ISSN: 1567-5394 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 14990330 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Dextrans
• Photosensitizing Agents
• Triazines
• Cibacron Blue F 3GA
• thiopyronine
• Pyronine

Topics

• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Membrane (metabolism)
• Cell Membrane Permeability (physiology)
• Dextrans (chemistry, metabolism)
• Drug Synergism
• Electroporation
• Humans
• Molecular Weight
• Photochemistry
• Photosensitizing Agents (chemistry)
• Pyronine (analogs & derivatives, chemistry)
• Time Factors
• Triazines